Open Streets is a citizen-driven initiative, working to change how streets are used, perceived and experienced.

Inspired by Bogota’s Ciclovia (a temporary network of car-free areas and routes throughout the City), Open Streets Cape Town was founded in 2012 by a group of volunteers committed to a more equitable, integrated, safer and vibrant city.

After the success of May’s Open Streets event in Observatory and the recent Open Streets event in Langa, the residents of Cape Town will have another chance to enjoy car-free streets that are open for everyone to enjoy this Saturday.

Saturday’s event will offer Capetonians the opportunity to enjoy soccer, dancing, cycling, cricket and other activities on lower Main Road in Observatory from 1pm to 6pm. People are encouraged to avoid driving into the area and take public transportation to the event.

The aim of Open Streets is to enable all citizens to move and use streets freely and safely. The concept has been implemented in approximately one hundred cities around the world and it entails the creation of a temporary network of car-free areas and routes.

The event is being funded by the efforts of the Observatory Improvement District, local businesses as well as individuals from across South Africa and the world that contributed via a crowd-source funding effort led by Open Streets.

“Through the leadership of the Obs Improvement District and the citizens of Obs, Open Streets is returning to the area,” said Marcela Guerrero Casas of Open Streets. “The residents of the area wanted to build on our event from May and we were thrilled to join them in doing this. We are looking forward to having more events like this throughout the city as communities join the call to open the streets of their communities.”

“Businesses reported from 30 to 50% increase on their profits during the first Open Streets…clearly more feet on the streets –and fewer cars, is good for business on a Saturday afternoon. Local businesses owners have contributed to making this Saturday possible” said Justin Ashley from the Observatory Improvement District.